SpringfieldNewsSun.com

SPRINGFIELD — Environmental and historical reviews of the downtown hospital site could be wrapping up soon.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments until Dec. 10 on an environmental assessment of the site and a determination of effect on historic properties.

The reviews, required by the National Environmental Protection and the National Historic Preservation acts, are available at City Hall or from the corps.

Shannon Meadows, executive assistant to the city manager, encouraged people to submit comments.

"It's a public process and a project that's affecting our community," she said.

The environmental assessment details the selection of the site near Buck Creek, where the city is buying property for the new Community Mercy Health Partners hospital.

The report contains a preliminary finding of no significant impact to the environment.

That finding could change if comments reveal new information, Meadows said.

The historical review inventories properties that are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, most of them based on their architecture.

It found five properties in the hospital site that would be adversely affected, possibly by demolition.

The city, Army Corps and Ohio Historic Preservation Office are working on plans to mitigate effects to those structures.

Possibilities include preservation workshops, a book about the neighborhood and making the homes available to be moved. A mitigation agreement might be signed next month.

Meadows is hopeful the environmental and historical reviews will be finalized by the end of year.

Demolition could start in January with removal of asbestos and salvage of architectural features from some houses.

"I see a glimmer of light right now," Meadows said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.